In The News

Nov 21, 2021

U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson announces retirement after almost 3 decades in Congress

KETK - Texas Politics

Longtime U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Dallas, announced Saturday she is not running for reelection after serving nearly three decades in Congress. “I have gone back and forth … the whole time because of the pleading and the asking, but as of January … the year after next, I will step down,” Johnson said during an event in Dallas. “I will retire, and let me assure that I will also recommend to you whom I feel is the best to follow me.”

Nov 12, 2021

Progress report: University of Houston offers sneak peek at new Law Center building

Houston Business Journal

The University of Houston provided a sneak peek of its $93 million Law Center building under construction, unveiling a project that has been more than eight years in the making. But the Nov. 10 unveiling ceremony was about more than just celebrating the new building. Several lawmakers in attendance threw down a challenge for the UH Law Center to do more to support the greater Houston community.

Sep 21, 2021

A Closer Look At A Potential Beto O’Rourke Run For Texas Governor

21 CBS DFW

News that Democrat Beto O’Rourke is considering a run against Governor Greg Abbott has people talking, including Democratic activist Haley Taylor Schlitz.

Aug 31, 2021

Texas Senate passes bill critics say restricts votes; goes to governor

WTVB

The Texas Senate on Tuesday passed a bill that critics say will unduly restrict voting access for minority voters, and the governor is expected to sign the measure soon into law.

Aug 31, 2021

Texas passes bill that sparked voting rights furore across US

Yahoo News

The Texas legislature on Tuesday passed the final version of a bill restricting voter access that sparked a weeks-long political showdown and is expected to be quickly signed into law by the state’s Republican governor.

Aug 31, 2021

Texas Enables Removal of Discriminatory Provisions from Conveyance Instruments

JD Supra

Texas enacted the Senator Royce West Act, which amends the Texas Property Code to include streamlined procedures to modify a deed in order to remove discriminatory provisions from recorded conveyance instruments.

Aug 30, 2021

New state law will now allow property owners to remove racial deed restrictions through the courts

KSAT

Aug 30, 2021

Hispanic Heritage Celebration at Dallas Arboretum Sept. 4-5

Focus Daily News

Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden is presenting the Hispanic Heritage Celebration on September 4-5 this year. A highlight of the cultural festival is the colorful Quinceañera Fashion Show, which is free to attend with garden admission.

Aug 26, 2021

August 20 declared Slavery Remembrance Day in Houston

Houston News Daily

Friday, August 20, was Houston’s first day of remembrance of slavery. Congressman Al Green commemorated the occasion by holding a town hall commemorating slavery in Greater Grace Houston. Representatives of the state and local government were present.

Aug 24, 2021

Devolution: This is what we’ve come to

North Dallas Gazette

Evolution by definition means that an idea, a person or entity has undergone change. I know I certainly have. A caterpillar evolves into a butterfly. And yes, my behavior and perspectives are much different than me, the 40 year-old attorney and certainly from me, the 18 year-old, college student-athlete. I hope you can say I’ve evolved.

Aug 23, 2021

Here's What You Need To Know About A Texas Bill That Aims To Ban Critical Race Theory

KERA News - News for North Texas

In Texas and across the country, critical race theory (CRT) has become a political lightning rod. Many Republican-led states are working to ban the school of thought from classrooms — even though teachers say they don’t even teach it.

Aug 18, 2021

Sen. West: I fully support Biden’s directives on COVID

Dallas Voice

A message from Texas state Sen. Royce West, representing District 23: Today, President Joe Biden announced two efforts aimed at helping Texas school children and residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

Aug 5, 2021

Voting Rights: Miles to go before we rest

North Dallas Gazette

For members of Texas Legislature and those who work in its orbit, the days since the 87th Regular Session ended on Memorial Day have been anything but a summer break or a return to our lives as part-time lawmakers. During this period, myself along with Democrat colleagues, have traveled to the nation’s capital twice. And we’ve all traversed the roads from Austin to home like the Regular Session never ended. For what?

Jul 30, 2021

Texas Redistricting Could Be Bad News for Fair Representation in Dallas

Our Community Now

The question of who gets counted in population estimates remains of critical importance as a messy redistricting process looms ahead for state lawmakers in Austin right now and those who will likely return to Austin sooner or later.

Jul 14, 2021

'We're not fleeing, we're working': Texas Democrats defend DC trip, vow to stay all session

WFAA ABC 8

Texas Democrats on Wednesday pushed back on criticisms of their stay in Washington, D.C. to break quorum over the Republicans' voting bill, saying they've had productive conversations as they advocate for federal election legislation.

Jun 24, 2021

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott vetoes slate of Democratic-led bills

Salon

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott shot down a total of 20 bills over this year's legislative session, including a number of Democratic-led legislative priorities with bipartisan support.

Jun 24, 2021

Anger and confusion over Abbott’s veto on domestic violence prevention bill

The Texas Signal

Governor Greg Abbott made no secret that this legislative session would be dominated by ultra-conservative priorities to flex his rightwing credentials. However, one of his latest moves, a veto of Senate Bill 1109, is leaving many flummoxed at his motivation.

Jun 20, 2021

For The People rally meets at Texas Capitol in support of voting rights

Big Country

The Texas State Capitol was the backdrop of a Sunday evening rally where crowds gathered to support the federal voting rights “For the People Act,” which goes before the U.S. Senate this week.

Jun 17, 2021

After meeting with VP Harris, Texas Democrats concede federal voting rights battle is in Senate

ABC 6 Action News

Following their "very robust conversation" with Vice President Kamala Harris, Democratic state legislators from Texas conceded that while the Biden administration wants to see federal voting reform legislation make it to the president's desk, the hurdle to passage is the U.S. Senate -- but they aren't giving up on conversations with those lawmakers.

Jun 17, 2021

Joe Manchin Meets With Texas Dems on Voting Rights Legislation

Newsweek

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat seen as key to passing voting rights legislation that has been a priority for President Joe Biden and Democratic leaders, met Thursday evening with a group of Texas Democrats who blocked a state law there that would put new restrictions on early voting.
Royce West montage